Mikey O’Toole, 1. Mrs. Beggs ENL 1 WO I 22 May, 2024 Essay Title: No matter what is said, done, or thought to somebody, they never have to give up. In the novel Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, the main character faces many obstacles when he is sent off to a war, that holds the memories that would torture his mind forever. In the novel, the main character, Louie Zamperini displays the three powerful characteristics of determination, compassion, and defiance. These three traits allow Louie to defy all expectations and push past his obstacles. To begin, Louie displays his determination to continue to work, socialize, and survive, despite the terrifying war around him. In his early years, Louie was an Olympic sprinter, during his first Olympic …show more content…
Louie is determined to not lose his mind out in the ocean, so he plays trivia, talks, and shares memories with Phil “They shared their histories, from first memories onward” (153). It is this determination that saved him from a fate Mac had suffered “Sometime on the fifth day, Mac snapped[.]In his dying days, Mac had redeemed himself.” (172). Louie, although in the same situation as Mac, stayed determined to keep his sanity, and hope alive, which was the difference between life and death. Later in the novel, Mutsuhiro or “The Bird” forces the POWs to jump onto a moving ship with their legs bound, Louie breaks his leg on the wall, his only memoir of his past life. He decides he won’t let it break him and keeps on fighting to keep his hope alive. “Louie felt a tearing sensation, then scorching pain in his ankle and knee. Louie couldn’t bear any weight on the leg[.]Not only would he be the only officer trapped in camp with the Bird all day, but his rations would be cut in half.” (291). Louie continues to hold on to his hope and is determined to not let anything break him. He still pushes past this awful torture and continues to find ways to survive “Such was